President Donald Trump has again warned of possible military action against Iran, saying the United States would take “very tough” measures if Tehran does not comply with a series of demands related to its nuclear programme, missile capabilities and regional activities. In comments published on Tuesday by Israel’s Channel 12, Trump suggested that diplomacy remained possible but said force was an option if talks failed.
“Either we reach a deal, or we’ll have to do something very tough,” he said.
The remarks came amid renewed diplomatic activity and a visible expansion of the American military presence in the Middle East, developments that have raised concerns among critics about the risk of escalation.
Trump’s comments coincided with a meeting in Oman between Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, according to reports. The discussions followed talks last week between American and Iranian officials, though neither side has publicly disclosed details of those exchanges.
Military Build-Up Raises Fears
In recent weeks, there has been a build-up of US military in the region. The buildup includes the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which Trump has previously described as part of a “massive armada” positioned in nearby waters.
On Tuesday, both Channel 12 and the news outlet Axios reported that the administration was considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.
The show of force has fueled speculation about the possibility of a US strike against Iran. Critics warn that such an action could destabilise an already volatile region. On Monday, the United States issued guidance to US-flagged commercial vessels, advising them to remain “as far as possible” from Iranian territorial waters.
Since January, Trump has intensified pressure on Tehran, reviving what he has described as a “maximum pressure” campaign. He has repeatedly warned that the US military is “locked and loaded and ready to go.”
In a social media post on January 28, Trump compared Iran’s situation to that of Venezuela, where a US military operation earlier this year resulted in the abduction of ousted president Nicolás Maduro.
“Like with Venezuela, [the US military] is ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary,” he wrote. “Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal.”
Late last month, the administration formally outlined three core demands: an end to Iran’s uranium enrichment, limits on its ballistic missile programme, and a requirement that Tehran sever ties with regional proxy groups. The missile restrictions have long been a priority for Israel.
Speaking to Fox Business on Tuesday, Trump said Iran would be “foolish” not to accept the terms.
During his first term, Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear agreement, which imposed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Since returning to office for a second term in January 2025, he has reinstated severe sanctions and renewed pressure on Iran to dismantle its nuclear programme — a programme Iranian officials maintain is intended solely for civilian energy use.
Last June, Trump authorised a military strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. The latest threats come following a wave of anti-government protests in Iran. The authorities in Tehran responded with a violent crackdown that rights groups say killed thousands of people.
